Computer Engineers (CPE) are electrical engineers that have additional training in the areas of software design and hardware-software integration. Common CPE tasks include writing embedded software for real-time microcontrollers, designing VLSI chips, working with analog sensors, designing mixed signal circuit boards, and designing operating systems. Computer engineers are also well-suited for research in the field of robotics, which relies on using computers together with other electrical systems. Below is a recommended plan of study for CPE.

Computer Engineering Student Learning Outcomes

The mission statement for the ECE (Electrical & Computer Engineering) Department: To provide students in ECE a rigorous learning experience that prepares them for professional careers.

CPE Student Learning Outcomes: CPE student learning outcomes are designed to instill in our graduates the skills appropriate to their professions and life-long learning. The CPE program uses the term “student learning outcomes” to describe knowledge and skills at the time of graduation that are derived from the objectives.

Holistic Education: Computer Engineering graduates shall be prepared to practice the profession of engineering using a systems perspective broad enough to encompass technological, economic, ethical, environmental, social, and human issues, shall have demonstrated a facility for independent learning, and shall be prepared for continued professional development.

MA 351-356 Problem Solving Seminar may not be combined and substituted for the math elective.

CPE majors are not permitted to take ECE 206 Elements of Electrical Engineering, or ECE 207 Electrical Engineering as free electives or technical electives. Free electives may be selected from any other Rose-Hulman courses.

CPE majors may take any additional math, biology, chemistry, geology or physics course as a math science elective except those courses that are cross-referenced with any engineering courses.

Computer Engineering Core Courses

Course Number

Course Title

Credits

ECE130

Introduction to Logic Design

4

ECE160

Engineering Practice

2

ECE203

DC Circuits

4

ECE204

AC Circuits

4

ECE205

Dynamical Systems

4

ECE250

Electronic Device Modeling

4

ECE300

Signals & Systems

4

ECE331

Embedded System Design

4

ECE332

Computer Architecture II

4

ECE333

Digital Systems

4

ECE342

Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility

4

ECE351

Analog Electronics

4

ECE362

Principles of Design

3

ECE380

Discrete Time & Continuous Systems

4

ECE460

Engineering Design I

3

ECE461

Engineering Design II

4

ECE462

Engineering Design III

2

Second Major in Computer Engineering

The ECE Department will not allow the following second major combinations:

Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Second Major in Computer Engineering.

Degree in Computer Engineering and a Second Major in Electrical Engineering.

Other students outside of ECE can get a second major in CPE by completing all of the courses in a required plan.

CPE Second Major

Course Number

Course Name

Credit

ECE 130

Introduction to Logic Design

4

ECE 203

DC Circuits

4

ECE 204

AC Circuits

4

ECE 205

Dynamical Systems

4

ECE 250

Electronic Device Modeling

4

ECE 300

Signals & Systems

4

ECE 331

Embedded System Design

4

ECE 332

Computer Architecture II

4

ECE 333

Digital Systems

4

ECE 342

Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility

4

ECE 351

Analog Electronics

4

ECE 380

Discrete Time & Continuous Systems

4

CSSE 120

Introduction to Software Development

4

CSSE 220

Object-Oriented Software Development

4

CSSE 232

Computer Architecture I

4

CSSE 332

Operating Systems

4

Total

64

Area Minor in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)

The Area Minor in ECE is designed to allow students to add another dimension to their Rose-Hulman degree.

Optical Communications Certificate

Faculty advisors: B. Black and S. Granieri

Rose-Hulman has become a leader in providing opportunities for students to choose a great mainstream degree program with flexibility to specialize in other areas of interest. This leadership is in no way limited to only traditional areas of study. One of these new areas that had a high impact in technology is optical communications. It is a rapidly growing field requiring investment beyond the traditional program structure, and is well suited to the students at Rose-Hulman All these topics are closely related to well established disciplines as optics and electronics. Considerable R&D efforts are allocated in both university and industrial laboratories enhancing the demand for both researchers and engineers with expertise in the field.

We propose the creation of a new certificate program in Optical Communications to enhance the programs currently offered. Combining expertise in Optical and Electrical Engineering, this program requires an interdisciplinary emphasis that is beyond the traditional content of either of its parent programs. This program is more than just the creation of the certificate program Optical Communications. This program will be critical to help developing a more interdisciplinary interaction for students and faculty. The creation of a workgroup within the faculty of both departments will coordinate current courses and resources, create new courses of interest for the field, and develop a showcase testbed education and research laboratory. Primary objectives include the removal of redundancy from existing courses, increasing interaction between the PHOE and ECE departments, and improving opportunities for students in the field.

This certificate is designed to give the student a firm theoretical and practical working knowledge in the area of fiber optic devices, optical communications, networks and its applications. The main purpose is to couch these fundamentals in a context that serves as the backbone for device, components and sub-system development for use in high-speed optical data and information links and networks. At the end of the program the student will be expected to:

Understand the fundamental operation characteristics of high speed optoelectronic components, such as laser transmitters, light modulators and receivers and passive fiber optic components as connectors, couplers, filters, and switches.

Have a hands-on working knowledge of the use of fiber optic test equipment and techniques used by industry and telecommunication companies to test the performance of optical fiber links and components, such as, optical time domain reflectometry, optical spectrum analyzers and optical bit error testing equipment.

The Certificate will consist of 20 credit hours of which 12 credit hours will be required courses. Students interested in pursuing this Certificate should contact an ECE/PHOE certificate advisor (Professors Black, Bunch, and Granieri)